Flexible laminates for solar modules

ABSTRACT

A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to solar modules, and, inparticular, to laminates for solar modules.

BACKGROUND

Solar modules typically include a solar panel having a laminatestructure. The laminate structure includes an active layer formed by aplurality of interconnected solar cells which are responsible forconverting light into electricity. The active layer is sandwichedbetween two thin layers of transparent material, such as ethylene vinylacetate (EVA). Due to the thin and fragile nature of the laminatestructure, relatively little stress is needed to bend the solar celllaminate. Bending of the cells can cause cracks in the laminatestructure of the cells that can degrade the performance of the solarmodule.

To help prevent bending and deflecting of the solar cells, glass sheetsare often placed on the front side and back side of the laminatestructure. Glass is used because it is stiff, inexpensive, waterproof,and resistant to impacts. The laminate structure with the front side andback side glass sheets is typically mounted to a frame which surroundsthe laminate structure and stiffens the laminate structure and the glasssheets against bending. This configuration does a decent job of limitingthe mechanical stress on the solar cells which can result from a bendingforce being applied to the solar module.

However, large sheets of glass which are attached to an outer framestructure are still capable of bending to a certain degree. Even arelatively small pressure in the center of the glass sheet can producesufficient deflection to cause cracks in the laminate structure of thesolar cells. This bending occurs because the moment of the pressure isrelatively large due to the distance from the support points at theedges of the glass.

What is needed is a laminate structure for a solar module that enablesthe laminate structure to bend or deflect without cracking or otherwisedamaging the solar cells.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a solar module includes a laminatestructure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells hasan individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solarcells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and theindividual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that agap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar moduleincludes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between thesolar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other. Thesolar module may include a transparent cover layer, or top sheet, thatcovers all of the solar cells and is attached to an outer face of eachof the individual reinforcements of the solar cells. The solar modulemay also include a back side sheet that covers all of the solar cellsand is attached to a back face of the laminate structure.

The individual reinforcement is formed of a strong, rigid material, suchas hard plastic or glass. The individual reinforcement may be laminatedto a back face and/or to a front face of the solar cell. The flexibleconductors comprise metal, ribbon-type electrical conductors ormulti-wire electrical conductors. The solar module includes a moduleconnection interface for connecting the solar module. The moduleconnection interface includes at least two terminal interconnections. Insome embodiments, electronic devices, such as DC/AC micro inverters,DC/DC converters, and DC/DC optimizers may be incorporated into thelaminate structure. A DC/AC micro inverter, a DC/DC converter, and/or aDC/DC optimizer can be secured to the back face of the laminatestructure, e.g., by adhesives.

The solar module may have a frame or may comprise a frameless module. Ifthe solar module is a frameless module, the solar module includes amounting system that enables the solar module to be attached to amounting surface, such as a roof. The solar module has one or moreanchor points at which the solar module is secured to the mountingsystem. The mounting system may comprise one or more stand offs securedto the solar module at the one or more anchor points and that arearranged between the solar module and the mounting surface. The standoffs may comprise pucks, rails, tubes, or similar types of structures.The solar module may define a peripheral region of the laminatestructure outside of the solar collecting region of the solar modulethat can be used to connect the solar module to the mounting surface andto the peripheral edge of another solar module. The peripheral regioncan be configured to a mounting surface using at least one of nails,threaded hardware, staples, glue and adhesives (such as tar roofadhesives). In one embodiment, the peripheral region defines a pluralityof openings for receiving screws for securing the solar module to amounting surface. The solar module may include grommets built in to thelaminate structure that defines the plurality of openings in theperipheral region.

In another embodiment, a solar module comprises a plurality of solarcells arranged in an array. The array includes at least two columns.Each of the columns has at least two solar cells. Each of the columnsincludes a column reinforcement extending over each of the solar cellsin the column and that is laminated to one face of each of the solarcells in the column. The column reinforcement of each of the columns isspaced apart from any adjacent column reinforcements such that a gap isdefined between each of the columns. The solar module includes flexibleconductors that extend through the gap between the columns andelectrically connect the solar cells to each other. In one embodiment,the column reinforcement comprises a separate individual reinforcementfor each of the solar cells which is laminated onto the one face ofsolar cell. The separate individual reinforcements may be spaced apartfrom each other. In this embodiment, the column reinforcement mayinclude strips of material arranged in the laminate structure betweenthe individual reinforcements in the column to limit flexing of thesolar cells in the column with respect to each other.

In yet another embodiment, an assembly of solar modules comprises aplurality of interconnected solar modules. Each solar module includes alaminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solarcells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each ofthe solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other andthe individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such thata gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar moduleincludes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between thesolar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other. Eachsolar module includes a module connection interface via which the solarmodules are electrically connected in parallel to each other. In oneembodiment, each of the solar modules outputs a given AC voltagedepending at least in part on lighting conditions. The solar modules areconnected such that an output current of the assembly is a function of anumber of solar modules connected in parallel in the assembly. Inanother embodiment, each of the solar modules outputs a given DC currentdepending at least in part on lighting conditions. The solar modules areconnected such that an output voltage of the assembly is a function of anumber of solar modules connected in series in the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a solar modulehaving individually reinforced solar cells in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solar module of FIG. 1 takenalong lines A-A.

FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of a solar module in whichreinforcements are provided for the solar cells on a per column basis.

FIG. 4 depicts a solar module unit comprising three individuallyreinforced solar cells arranged in a single column.

FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of solar modules units, such as depicted inFIG. 4, arranged to form a solar module, such as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of solar module units, such as depicted in FIG.4, connected in parallel.

FIG. 7 shows a plurality of solar module units, such as depicted in FIG.4, connected in series.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a solar module, such as depicted in FIG.2, showing openings for the anchor points of the mounting system in theperipheral region of the laminate structure of the solar module.

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of the mounting system of a solarmodule, such as depicted in FIG. 1, showing a stand off arranged betweenthe solar module and a mounting surface.

FIG. 10 depicts an arrangement of stand offs in the form of pucks and anarrangement of stand offs in the form of rails.

FIG. 11 depicts adjacent solar modules secured to each other by aligningopenings located in the peripheral edge of the laminate structures ofboth solar modules and extending a fastener through the alignedopenings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thedisclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and described in the following written specification. It isunderstood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is therebyintended. It is further understood that the present disclosure includesany alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments andincludes further applications of the principles of the disclosure aswould normally occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art to whichthis disclosure pertains.

The present disclosure is directed to a laminate structure for a solarmodule that enables solar cells to be reinforced for better protectionwhile allowing flexibility between the solar cells so that bending anddeflecting of the solar module that can occur due to impacts, changingenvironmental conditions, mounting stresses, and the like are lesslikely to result in cracking and fractures of the solar cell laminate.To accomplish this goal, a solar cell laminate structure has beendeveloped in which individual solar cells or small groups of solar cellsare provided with their own reinforcements. The reinforcement comprisesa layer of reinforcing material, such as hard plastic or glass, ofsuitable thickness and strength to substantially prevent the associatedcell or group of cells from flexing or deflecting substantially undernormal conditions. A back side sheet and possibly a front side sheet arethen applied to laminate structure. The front side sheet is applied tothe outer face of each of the reinforcements to cover all of the solarcells.

The reinforced solar cells are spaced apart from the other reinforcedcells in the laminate structure which allows the gaps or joints betweenreinforced cells to have greater flexibility than the reinforced cellsthemselves. To facilitate this flexibility, the outer cover layers forthe solar module can be configured to have greater flexibility than thereinforcements. For example, the outer cover layers can be formed of amore flexible material and/or have a layer thickness that allows thecover layer to flex to a desired degree. In addition, flexibleconductors and connectors are used in the joints between reinforcedcells to electrically connect the solar cells. Flexible conductors, suchas ribbons or multi-wire conductors, can flex to a certain degreewithout breaking or being damaged and therefore can be arranged in thejoints between reinforced cells without impacting the flexibility of thejoints.

The use of individually reinforced cells and cell groups can reduce thecost of manufacturing solar modules. For example, large module-sizedglass sheets for both covering and protecting the cells are no longerrequired. More flexible and less protective cover layers can be used ifdesired. In addition, the greater resistance to cracks and damage to thesolar cells and the greater flexibility of the overall solar module thatcan result from the use of reinforced cells reduces the need for largemodule-sized glass sheets for both covering and protecting the cells aswell as the need for external frames and reinforcement members which areused to support the laminate and the glass and to prevent deflecting ofthe laminate and the glass. By omitting traditional frames andmodule-sized protective glass, solar modules can be provided in sizesand shapes that would otherwise be too complex and/or expensive toimplement reasonably. In addition, the installation process can begreatly simplified as well which can reduce the cost to the consumer aswell. Furthermore the flexible interconnection of the reinforced cellsor columns of cells provides the opportunity to mount such solarassemblies on slightly to moderate bended surfaces.

Referring now to the drawings, a solar module 10 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The solar module 10 hasa laminate structure comprising a photoelectrically active layer 12sandwiched between a front side cover layer 14 (typically glass) and aback side cover layer 16. The active layer 12 includes a plurality ofsolar cells 18. The solar cells 18 may be formed of any one ofcrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, chalcopyriteor other suitable material.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the solar cells 18 are arranged in an arrayhaving columns and rows. In FIG. 1, the array has six columns and sixrows (6×6). In alternative embodiments, the solar cells may be arrangedin different numbers of columns and rows. The solar cells 18 areelectrically interconnected by a plurality of electrical conductors 20.The conductors 20 are electrically contacted with at least one face ofeach of the solar cells 18 and extend through the gaps 22 between cells18 to electrically connect adjacent solar cells. The electricalconductors 20 may comprise any suitable kind of conductive material. Asdiscussed below, the electrical conductors 20 may be provided in theform of ribbons, multi-wire conductors, or other type of flexibleconductor, at least in the regions between cells. Referring to FIG. 1,the solar module 10 is equipped with an interconnection 24 interfacethat enables the solar module 10 to be electrically connected toexternal wiring, e.g., input and output wiring, and/or to other solarmodules. The interconnection interface 24 comprises at least twoterminals for connecting to the solar cell wiring.

Referring again to FIG. 2, one or both sides of the solar cells 18 maybe provided with a thin, transparent layer 26 of plastic material, suchas ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which can protect the solar cellsagainst environmental influences. A back side cover layer 16 is attachedto the back side of the laminate structure. The back side cover layer 16may be formed of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a front side cover layer 14 is attachedto the front side. The front side cover layer 14 is formed of atransparent material, such as glass or plastic. In alternativeembodiments, the front side glass may be omitted.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an individual reinforcementlayer 28 is provided for each of the solar cells. As can be seen in FIG.2, the reinforcement is positioned between the solar cells and the frontside glass. The reinforcement 28 is sized so as to be substantially thesame size as, or slightly larger than, a single solar cell 18. As can beseen in FIG. 1, the reinforcements only slightly overlap theircorresponding solar cells. As discussed below, reinforcements 28 may besized to correspond to portions of the solar cells of a solar module.For example, reinforcements may be provided on a per column basis in asolar module. In one embodiment, the reinforcement layer is formed of ahard plastic material although in some embodiments glass may be used.

A reinforcement 28 may be laminated onto one or both faces the solarcell 18. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the reinforcement 18 islaminated onto the front face of the solar cell. In alternativeembodiments, a reinforcement may be laminated to the back face of thesolar cells (not shown) as an alternative to or in addition to thereinforcement on the back face of the solar cell. The reinforcement 28may be attached to a face of the solar cell in any suitable manner. Inone embodiment, the reinforcement 28 is attached to the solar cell by anadhesive. The front side cover layer 14 is attached to an outer face ofeach of the reinforcements. In one embodiment, front side cover layer 14is attached to the reinforcement 28 using an adhesive.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the edges of the reinforcements ofadjacent solar cells are spaced apart from each other. This results in agap 22 being defined between adjacent cells that extends between thefront side glass 14 and the back side glass 16. These gap regions 22,also referred to herein as joints, have less material thickness. As aresult, the joints 22 between solar cells 18 have greater flexibilitythan the reinforced solar cells. When the laminate flexes, it is thelaminate material between the cells and the metal interconnects thatflex, not the silicon of the solar cells. The smaller pieces ofreinforcing material require much more pressure, applied much morelocally, to break a cell. Thus, when mechanical stresses are applied tothe solar module, the joint regions can bend to absorb the stress whilethe reinforced solar cells are allowed to remain flat and unbent.

In one embodiment, the cell-to-cell joints 22 of the solar module 10 areconfigured to enable adjacent solar cells to bend or deflectapproximately 5 degrees with respect to each other although any suitableamount of deflection may be implemented. To facilitate greaterflexibility in the joint regions relative to the reinforced cells, thefront side sheet and the back side sheet may be formed of materialsand/or may be dimensioned to provide a desired amount of flexibility.For example, the front side and back side cover layers 14, 16 could bereplaced with a plastic material that is more flexible than the glassthat is typically used. The solar cell wiring at least in the jointregions is also configured to have a certain level of flexibility sothat the wiring in the joints does not break or transfer mechanicalstresses between cells. As examples, the wiring conductors may beribbon-type conductors, multi-wire conductors, or any other type offlexible conductor. The open spaces in the joints between cells may beleft empty. Alternatively, the open spaces could be filed with a fillermaterial. A filler material could be used to decrease the flexibility ofand/or strengthen the joints if needed so long as the resulting jointflexibility was still greater than the flexibility of the reinforcedsolar cells. A filler material could also be used to limit the amount ofbending of the wiring in the joints.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, reinforcements 28 are provided foreach individual solar cell 18 of the solar module. In alternativeembodiments, reinforcements may be provided for groups of solar cells ofthe solar module. FIG. 3 depicts in an embodiment of a solar module inwhich reinforcements 28′ are provided for the solar cells 18 on a percolumn basis. For the purposes of this disclosure, the solar cells whichare aligned horizontally in FIG. 3 are considered as being in a column.As can be seen in FIG. 3, a single reinforcement 28′ extends across eachof the solar cells 18 in the upper column, and a single reinforcement28′ extends across each solar cell 18 in the lower column. In otherembodiments, solar cells may be grouped in other ways for reinforcement.For example, solar cells may be grouped into subarrays (not shown),e.g., 2×2, 3×3, 2×3 and the like, with appropriately sized and shapedglass or plastic plates being provided for reinforcements of thesubarrays.

A solar module having reinforced solar cells does not require a rigidsupport frame that is typically required of solar modules which are moresusceptible to bending-induced damage to the solar cells. As a result,the solar module 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may comprise a frameless solarmodule. The electronic connection interface 24 and any electronicdevices, such as DC/AC micro inverters, DC/DC converters, DC/DCoptimizers, battery storage devices, and the like, may be incorporatedinto the laminate structure, e.g., between the front side and back sidecover layers 14, 16 and in the open spaces 22 between cells, or fixed toan outer surface of a cover layer, e.g., using an adhesive.

The use of individually reinforced solar cells or reinforced groups ofsolar cells also enables solar modules to be provided in a variety ofdifferent sizes and shapes. Smaller size modules, or units, inparticular, can be used as building blocks to provide solar energysolutions that would not otherwise be possible with traditional solarmodules. FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a solar module unit 30. Thesolar module unit 30 of FIG. 4 includes three solar cells 18. In otherembodiments, more (e.g., four) or fewer (e.g., two) cells could be used.Each of the solar cells 18 of the solar module unit 30 is provided witha reinforcement 28.

The solar module unit 30 of FIG. 4 includes an electrical connectioninterface 24 that enables the solar module unit 30 to be connected toother solar module units, other solar modules, and external electricalsystems as needed. The electrical connection interface 24 may beconfigured to enable solar module units to be electrically connected inany suitable manner. For example, the electrical connection interfacemay be configured to enable the solar module units 30 to be connected inparallel as depicted in FIG. 6 or in series as depicted in FIG. 7. Whenunits 30 are connected in parallel as depicted in FIG. 6, the DC currentoutput by the assembly is proportional to the number of units that areconnected in parallel whereas the AC voltage output stays the sameregardless of the number of units connected in parallel. Conversely, forseries connected units, such as depicted in FIG. 7, the AC voltageoutput of the assembly is proportional to the number of units connectedin series whereas the DC current output by the assembly stays the sameregardless of the number of units connected in parallel.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the solar module unit 30 also includes moduleattachment features 32 that enable solar module units to be attached toeach other to form effectively larger arrays of solar cells. Anysuitable type of attachment features 32 may be used. In one embodiment,the modules are provided with complementary latching features thatenable the solar module 30 to be attached to each other in rows such asdepicted in FIG. 5.

Because the solar module unit 30 is frameless, the electrical connectioninterface 24 and attachment features 32 may be integrated into thelaminate structure, e.g., between the front side and back side coverlayers. Electronic devices, such as DC/AC micro inverters, DC/DCconverters, DC/DC optimizers, energy storage devices (e.g., batteries)and the like, may be incorporated into the solar module unit. Asdepicted in FIG. 4, an electronic device 34 is incorporated into thesolar module unit 30. In one embodiment, the electronic device 34comprises a micro inverter although suitable type and number of devicescould be used. The electronic device 34 may be incorporated into thelaminate structure. In alternative embodiments, the electronic device 34may be adhered to an outer surface of the back side cover layer.

Because the solar modules 30 described herein are frameless, a mountingsystem for mounting solar modules to a mounting surface, such as a roof,and/or to other solar modules, is incorporated into the laminatestructure. The mounting system comprises one or more anchor points 36the define positions at which the solar module may be contacted andexposed to mechanical stresses to secure the module to a mountingsurface. In one embodiment, the anchor points 36 are located in theperipheral region38 of the solar module outside of the regions where thesolar cells are located. Openings 42 are provided in the peripheralregions at the anchor points 36 as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. Anysuitable number and positioning of openings 42 may be used. For example,openings 42 may be provided in the peripheral regions 38 of the frontside and back side covers 14, 16 in the corner(s) and/or along the edgesbetween the corners as depicted in FIG. 8. The openings 42 used in themounting system of FIG. 9 extend through the peripheral region of thecovers while avoiding the solar cell laminate. In alternativeembodiments, openings 44 may be provided in peripheral regions 40 of thereinforcements 28 as depicted in FIG. 8.

As depicted in FIG. 9, the mounting system may comprise stand offs 46,or spacers, which are placed between the back side 16 of the solarmodule and the mounting surface 48 to allow air circulation between thesolar module and the mounting surface. The stand offs 46 may comprisepuck-shaped members, such as depicted in FIG. 7, having central openingsfor receiving a fastener 50, such as a screw or bolt. The screw 50extends through the openings in the solar module and the stand off 46and into a structural member 54, such as a rafter or beam, at theinstallation site. To facilitate the use of fasteners, the peripheralregion of the laminate may be provided with grommets 52 that define theopenings for the fasteners and which can protect the plastic or glassmaterial around the openings. Referring to FIG. 10, multiple stand offs46 may be used to mount a plurality of solar modules to a mountingsurface 48. As depicted in FIG. 10, rails or beams could be used as analternative to pucks or blocks as standoffs.

The openings in the peripheral edges of the solar modules may be used tosecure adjacent solar modules to each other and to a mounting surface.As depicted in FIG. 11, the openings 42 in the peripheral regions 38 ofadjacent modules may be aligned so that a single fastener can beextended through both laminates to secure the solar modules to amounting surface. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a single stand off 46 canbe used to support multiple solar modules.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood thatonly the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes,modifications and further applications that come within the spirit ofthe disclosure are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solar module comprising: a laminate structureincluding: an active layer having at least two solar cells, each of thesolar cells having a first face and a second face and including aseparate reinforcement laminated to the first face; and a cover layerattached to at least one of (i) an outer face of each of thereinforcements and (ii) a second face of each of the solar cells; and amodule interconnection interface for electrically connecting the solarmodule to another solar module, the module interconnection interfacecomprising at least two terminal interconnections, wherein the solarcells are spaced apart from each other and the reinforcements are spacedapart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of thesolar cells, and the solar cells are electrically connected to eachother by flexible wiring conductors that extend through the gap.
 2. Thesolar module according to claim 1, wherein the separate reinforcementsare each made of a hard plastic material.
 3. The solar module accordingto claim 1, wherein the separate reinforcements are each made of glass.4. The solar module according to claim 1, wherein the first face of thesolar cells comprises a back face of the solar cells.
 5. The solarmodule according to claim 1, wherein the flexible conductors compriseribbon-type conductors or multi-wire conductors.
 6. The solar moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein the solar module is a frameless module. 7.A solar module comprising: a laminate structure including: an activelayer having at least two solar cells, each of the solar cells having afirst face and a second face and including a separate reinforcementlaminated to the first face; and a cover layer attached to at least oneof (i) an outer face of each of the reinforcements and (ii) a secondface of each of the solar cells, wherein the solar cells are spacedapart from each other and the reinforcements are spaced apart from eachother such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells, andthe solar cells are electrically connected to each other by flexiblewiring conductors that extend through the gap; a mounting system formounting the solar module to a mounting surface, wherein the mountingsystem includes one or more stand offs that are configured to be placedbetween the solar module and the mounting surface, and the laminatestructure includes one or more anchor points at which the laminatestructure is supported on the one or more stand offs.
 8. A solar modulecomprising: a laminate structure including: an active layer having atleast two solar cells, each of the solar cells having a first face and asecond face and including a separate reinforcement laminated to thefirst face; and a cover layer attached to at least one of (i) an outerface of each of the reinforcements and (ii) a second face of each of thesolar cells, wherein the solar cells are spaced apart from each otherand the reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gapis defined between each of the solar cells, the solar cells areelectrically connected to each other by flexible wiring conductors thatextend through the gap, the laminate structure includes a peripheralregion, the peripheral region including one or more anchor points, andthe anchor points of the peripheral region are secured to a mountingsurface using at least one of nails, screws, staples, and adhesive. 9.The solar module according to claim 1, wherein the cover layer is formedof glass or plastic, and wherein the cover layer includes a peripheralregion located outside of the solar cells, wherein the peripheral regiondefines one or more openings for receiving fasteners for securing thesolar module to a mounting surface, and wherein the one or more openingsare defined by grommets integrated into the cover layer in theperipheral region.
 10. The solar module according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one electronic device, the at least one electronicdevice comprising at least one of a DC/AC micro inverter, a DC/DCconverter, and a DC/DC optimizer, wherein the at least one electronicdevice is incorporated into the laminate structure.
 11. The solar moduleaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic device,the at least one electronic device comprising at least one of a DC/ACmicro inverter, a DC/DC converter, and a DC/DC optimizer, wherein the atleast one electronic device is secured to an outer face of the coverlayer by an adhesive.
 12. The solar module of claim 1, wherein the gapincludes a filler material that limits flexing of the flexibleconductors in the gap.